House Armed Services Committee

Members of the House Judiciary and Armed Services committees, as well as the LGBT Equality Caucus, are asking military leaders not to comply with Trump’s dictate.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday adopted an amendment to expand the so-called “conscience protections” in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that critics say would allow service members to promote anti-gay beliefs without fear of discipline.

The final version of major Pentagon budget legislation includes watered-down “conscience” language similar to the anti-gay provision found in the House version of the bill, according to a top House Democrat on defense issues.

Some House Republicans are pushing for inclusion of a “conscience protection” clause in the final version of Pentagon budget legislation that could enable discrimination against gay service members, according to LGBT advocates familiar with conference committee negotiations.

WASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker has introduced new legislation aimed at prohibiting gay and lesbian service members from marrying on U.S. military bases, and would require new regulations related to chaplains and other military personnel.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon, (R-Calif.) said he will oppose passage of the annual defense authorization bill unless it contains language prohibiting military chaplains from performing same-sex unions, and a provision that would ban terrorism suspects from getting civilian trials in federal courts.